The ingredients, 'translated'
into a more readable form, are alongside the image. What they are and their
uses are listed below the image. Many thanks to the staff at Boots, Llandrindod
Wells, for supplying the translation from pharmaceutical abbreviations into
English. The reference works used, A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics,
and Prescription Writing, Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L., 1902
(Potter), the British Pharmaceutical Codex, Council of the Pharmaceutical
Society of Great Britain, 1911 (BPC), and The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics
and Pharmocognosy, Finley Ellingwood, MD, 1919 (Ellingwood), are all available
online at http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/main.html.
Hearty thanks to Henriette for making these texts so readily available and searchable.
Also of great use was Datasegment.com.

Powys County Archives

Mr Wilde, Newmead

Rx

Belladonna liniment
Opium liniment

Chloroform liniment
Aconite liniment.
½ oz. of each

Mix and make an embrocation. To be
rubbed on the seat of pain night and morning.

The liniments of Belladonna (deadly nightshade), Chloroform,
Opium and Aconite (monkshood) were all used to treat the pain of chronic
rheumatism. An embrocation is a lotion or liniment.
Potassium bicarbonate was used for gout and rheumatism. Potassium
bromide, used a sedative or depressant, is a potentially damaging chemical.
It was also used for spasms and rheumatism. Tincture of Actaea racemosa
was used as a mild expectorant and for rheumatism or neuralgia. Also known
as Cimifuga racemosa (black snakeroot or black cohosh), the plant
is a native of the US. Tincture of Humulus lupulus, or hops, was
used to increase appetite and aid digestion; in this case it was used to
help the drugs get into the bloodstream via the stomach.

The ingredients in this prescription were all used
to treat dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or heartburn. Sodii
sulphas, Glauber's Salt, was used as a purgative. Nux
vomica was made from seeds of a tree native to India, Strychnos nux-vomica,
one of the main constituents of which is strychnine. Fowler's
Solution was a solution of potassium arsenite. Peppermint
water was used to soothe gut wall and expel gas.

Powys County Archives

Miss Mills

Rx

Cantharides
plaster 2 x 3 inches
send 3.
One to be applied every fourth or fifth night to the affected side
as directed.

Rx

Boric acid
ointment 2 oz
To be applied on lint to the blistered surface.

Lead acetate - Plumbi acetas,
also known as sugar of lead - "Inflammations of external parts are constantly
treated by the lotion of "Leadwater and Laudanum;"—though the constituents
are chemically incompatible, it is a valuable sedative and astringent. "
(Potter)
Rectified spirit - 85% alcohol
Cocaine - probably Cocainae oleas - was used as a local anaesthetic.

Mix and make into a mass and distribute into 12 equal pills. Take
one each night.

Mercuric subchloride: Hydrargyri
chloridum corrosivum (corrosive mercuric chloride, bichloride, also known
as corrosive sublimate) was used internally for gastric ulcers, dysentery,
and hepatic cirrhosisColchicum extract: Extractum colchici
came from Colchicum autumnale (meadow saffron). It relieves pain
and inflammation of gout but may cause considerable gastro-intestinal irritation.
"Extract of colchicum is prescribed in pills to relieve the pain and inflammation
of acute gout. It is frequently combined with blue pill or compound colocynth
pill, or with Dover's powder. " (BPC)
Colocynth extract: Colocynth pulp
was from fruit of Citrullus colocynthis, a native of N Africa, Middle
East & north-west India, and is a powerful hydragogue [causing a discharge
of water] cathartic
Ant. Tar.: possibly Antimonii et
potassii tartras, also known as Tartar emetic - is gastrointestinal irritant,
and a systemic & local emetic